Heart Enlargement

Introduction :
Cardiac enlargement or heart enlargement is an increase in the size of the heart. Generally there are two types of cardiac enlargement, Hypertrophy and Dilation. Hypertrophy is an increase in the thickness of the heart muscle and Dilation is an increase in the size of the inside cavity of a chamber of the heart. Hypertrophy usually occurs in only one chamber of the heart and dilation on the other hand may occur in one, two, three, or all of the chambers, based on its cause.

Symptoms :
Some people can have varying degrees of cardiac enlargement and have no symptoms. Once dilation or hypertrophy begins to place undue demands on heart function, however, symptoms do result and include shortness of breath, chest pressure or pain, Palpitations Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, dizziness or lightheadedness, loss of consciousness. In milder forms of cardiac enlargement, the symptoms may occur only with exercise or exertion. However, in more severe forms, they can occur at any time, even while lying down. These symptoms are not specific to heart enlargement but may occur with other diseases of heart and lung as well.

Causes :
Enlarged heart is a sign of an underlying problem and itself not a disease. It can have many causes, including high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, weakness of the heart muscle, severe anemia, thyroid disorders, excessive iron in the body, and abnormal protein buildup in an organ.

Treatment :
Treatment for an enlarged heart may include medications, such as ACE inhibitors, to lighten the heart’s pumping load and keep it from further enlargement. Treatment should be aimed at the cause of the enlarged heart and reversing it through medications or any suitable way. Diuretics may be prescribed for those patients who are suffering with heart failure.

Prevention of the underlying diseases that could worsen the condition may be minimized by certain modifications as:

• Eating a balanced, low-fat diet
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
• Keeping blood pressure under control
• Engaging in a regular exercise program
• Visiting the physician regularly

Proper management, such as controlling high blood pressure, treating valve disease and discontinuing alcohol consumption may reverse an enlarged heart. Most importantly a significant change in the lifestyle will also help to minimize the affects of the condition and will improve the life quality.